The Experts In Facial Plastic Surgery

Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin are highly qualified and experienced board-certified plastic surgeons who have dedicated their careers to helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals. Both doctors have completed extensive training and education in plastic surgery, including specialized training in facial plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery. They have also earned numerous accolades and awards for their exceptional work, including being named Top Doctors by Northern Virginia Magazine and DC Magazine, as well as being recognized as Top Plastic Surgeons by RealSelf.

Drs. Burton and Reps Sundin use the latest, modern techniques for face and neck lifts. Their signature technique involves a safe deep-plane face and neck lift that tightens the skin and the deeper layers of the face. They call this technique the Uplift.

In addition to their technical expertise, Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin are known for their patient-centered approach. They listen to patients' unique concerns and goals and develop personalized treatment plans to achieve the best possible outcomes. Their commitment to excellence and dedication to their patients make them true experts in facial plastic surgery.

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What is a facelift?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that can create a younger facial appearance by reducing sagging skin and smoothing skin folds on the cheeks and jawline. It involves:

  • Lifting and tightening facial tissues
  • Removing excess skin
  • Smoothing out wrinkles
  • Repositioning or removing skin, fat, and muscle

    The facelift in Richmond is considered the gold standard in facial anti-aging. While non-surgical facelift options offer temporary enhancement, a surgical facelift remains the best way to correct the unwelcome signs of aging, rejuvenate your appearance, and enhance your face's natural contours and harmony.

    Facelift Surgery at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery

    What are the benefits of a facelift?

    Drs. Sundin can combine your facelift with other procedures for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. These procedures include:

    Facelift surgery benefits include:

    • Reducing sagging skin
    • Correcting laugh lines
    • Smoothing out folds of skin on the cheeks and jawline
    • Re-contouring the jawline and neck
    • Improving signs of aging for a more youthful appearance
    • Increasing confidence and self-esteem
    • Tightening the neck and facial muscles
    • Reducing deep wrinkles caused by reduced collagen production
    middle aged woman with long blonde hair

    Am I a good facelift candidate?

    The best candidates for a facelift in Washington, D.C. are those whose face and neck have begun to sag but whose skin still has some elasticity. Having a well-defined and strong bone structure is also ideal. Candidates should generally be in good health and non-smokers.

    While there is no minimum age to consider facelift surgery, most are performed on patients 50 and older. Patients as young as 40 may also qualify depending on their skin quality.

    Are there different types of facelift procedures?

    Facelift surgical techniques have advanced considerably in recent years and Drs. Burton and Reps Sundin remain committed to advanced surgical procedures that yield naturally beautiful results.

    The “Uplift” Facelift Technique

    The Uplift is Dr. Sundin’s signature deep-plane technique for face and neck rejuvenation. This facelift offers a deeper level of correction by including a deep muscle suspension of the neck as well as the face. This tightens the neck and creates lifting and smoothing of the middle and lower facial regions. The tightening of the deep planes creates a longer-lasting result. This technique features minimal downtime and is a favorite among our patients due to minimal scarring.

    The “Limited” Facelift Technique

    The limited facelift is ideal for those interested in minimal correction. Smaller incisions are made, and once the underlying structures have been lifted and excess skin excised, the incisions are carefully closed.

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    Our Impressive Facelift Results

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    Pairing Your Facelift With a Neck Lift

    A good facelift surgeon always addresses the neck and the face. A facelift is designed to address sagging skin, wrinkles, and other signs of aging on the face, while a neck lift focuses on excess skin and fat in the neck area. By combining these two procedures, patients can achieve a more harmonious and youthful appearance overall. Dr. Sundin’s Uplift technique addresses both the face and the neck. 

    Combining a neck lift and facelift has the added benefit of a more natural-looking outcome than undergoing each procedure separately. Dr. Sundin can address the entire lower face and neck area in one surgery, ensuring a seamless transition between the two regions. 

    Additionally, combining the procedures can reduce overall recovery time and minimize the time the patient needs to take off work or other activities. Patients can expect significant improvements in their facial and neck contours, with a smoother, tighter appearance lasting many years.

    Your Facelift Experience

    During your consultation, you’ll be given a detailed understanding of what you can expect on the day of your facelift in Northern Virginia. You can enjoy total peace of mind as you prepare to enjoy your final surgical outcome. Before your surgery, we will discuss any incision placement so you’ll know what to expect regarding scarring.

    Facelift surgery is typically  performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia or IV sedation. The procedure typically takes between three and four hours to complete. Once you wake up, you’ll spend a short time in a recovery area before heading home with someone to drive you as the anesthesia wears off.

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    Facelift Case Study at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery

    What is facelift recovery like?

    Our team will provide a detailed recovery timeline and thorough aftercare instructions before the actual day of your surgery. We’ll remain available throughout your recovery process and schedule follow-up appointments to ensure you’re comfortable and that your healing process continues nicely. This will also give you a chance to ask us any questions that you might have about your final results and remaining recovery period.

    Here are some things to keep in mind about facelift recovery:

    • Facelift surgery's most common side effects are facial swelling and bruising, which usually peak during the first 24 to 48 hours
    • We encourage you to keep your head elevated as much as possible during this time
    • Most people take two weeks away from work to allow the bruising to disappear fully
    • Minor facial swelling can linger for up to one month after surgery 

    What results can I expect from a facelift?

    A facelift in Washington, D.C., can rejuvenate your appearance by reducing or eliminating sag, wrinkles, fullness in the neck, and other signs of aging for years to come. You’ll continue to see gradual improvement as any residual post-operative swelling subsides. In general, the results from your facelift will look outstanding after about one month, and you’ll look your best in six months. And while everyone has a unique aging process, many patients don’t feel they need more work for up to fourteen years.

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    Alternative Methods Of Skin Tightening

    There are several alternative methods of skin tightening available for those who are not interested in undergoing surgical procedures:

    • Radiofrequency skin tightening uses energy waves to heat the skin and stimulate collagen production. This can result in tighter, firmer skin without incisions or downtime.
    • Ultrasound skin tightening uses high-frequency sound waves to penetrate the skin and stimulate collagen production. This can also result in tighter, firmer skin without surgery.
    • Laser skin tightening uses light energy to heat the skin and stimulate collagen production.
    • Chemical peels can improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

    While these alternative methods may not provide the same dramatic results as surgical procedures, they can be effective for those looking for a less invasive skin-tightening approach.

    Burton M. Sundin, MD

    Reps B. Sundin, MD

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    Turn back the clock with a facelift by Dr. Sundin at The Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery

    Many of the most common signs of facial aging appear before we expect them to, but they don’t have to be permanent. Thankfully, Drs. Burton and Reps Sundin are here to help. Both board-certified plastic surgeons, these brothers bring over 30 years of combined experience to every procedure. They have also completed extensive six-year residencies in Plastic Surgery, covering all aspects of plastic surgery. This distinguishes them from "cosmetic" or "facial" plastic surgeons, who typically undergo only a one-year fellowship. They've also completed prestigious Aesthetic Cosmetic fellowships, learning from world-renowned surgeons in procedures like facelifts, eyelid lifts, and rhinoplasty, ensuring top-level care at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery. 

    If you’re interested in learning more about how the facelift can remove years from your appearance—or would like to explore the various other surgical treatments and non-surgical options we offer—reach out and set up your consultation today. Our offices offer facelift surgery to the Richmond, Northern Virginia, Tyson's Corner, Charlottesville, and Washington, DC areas.

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